Which LG drive is best: GSA-4160B or the GWA-4161B???

MelissaInFL · Dec 30, 2004

Hi everyone,

I ordered the 4160B and received the 4161B, instead. Before I put in for an RMA#, which is the better drive? Which offers more? Should I hold on to the 4161B, or should I continue my quest to own a 4160B?

Duracell · Dec 30, 2004

MelissaInFL said:
I ordered the 4160B and received the 4161B, instead. Before I put in for an RMA#, which is the better drive?

AFAIK there is no 4161B;

there is a 4163B which is the legal successor of the 4160B;
improvements are: 16x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 4x Double Layer;
source: http://de.lge.com/prodcompareprint.do?actType=compare&modelCategoryId=040204&categoryId=040204&parentId=0402&page=1&modelCodeDisplay=&cp_models=GSA-4163B&cp_models=GSA-4160B

if you got the 4163B, stuck with it;
if you got the "unknown 4161B", so it seems to be a sub-revision of the 4160B; stick with that drive too;

Greetings from
Duracell

MelissaInFL · Dec 30, 2004

Hi Duracell,

Here is a link to the GWA-4161B:

http://www.dealsurprise.com/necnd4xeiind.html

My concern is that it is $30+ less than the GSA-4160B, and that naturally leads me to believe that it isn't as good as the 4160B. What are your feelings about it? TYSM!

Duracell · Dec 31, 2004

strange, this drive doesn't look like a real LG, it's rather a NEC OEM version;

have a look at the link you provided: http://www.dealsurprise.com/necnd4xeiind.html

another fact that let me think it's a rebranded NEC is, the DVD-RAM compatibility is completely missed; have a look at "Write/Read Speed" and "Compatible Format";

DVD-RAM is the reliablest media format to store data on erasable discs; personally i won't relinquish of that feature;

compare yourself:
the real LG http://www.dealsurprise.com/lggs16xdvrww.html
the "faked" LG http://www.dealsurprise.com/necnd4xeiind.html

VIPER_1069 · Dec 31, 2004

yeah can confirm its an OEM a quick google of gwa-4161b brings up 2,540 hits most state that its an OEM drive

MelissaInFL · Dec 31, 2004

Duracell, Viper,

So, I shouldn't keep the 4161B, then? I should return it, and get the 4160B, as originally ordered? I'm so confused? Why would companies put the wrong company name on a drive? Gee, am I a rookie at this, or what??!!!

Duracell · Dec 31, 2004

MelissaInFL said:
So, I shouldn't keep the 4161B, then? I should return it, and get the 4160B, as originally ordered?

it's your decision;

if i were you, i would send this thing back due 3 reasons:
1. the 4161B misses features;
2. OEM drives often get poorer firmware support;
3. the shop has to get the lesson;

it's our basic right to get what we ordered and paid and nothing else;

Why would companies put the wrong company name on a drive?

i can understand this strategy for firms which don't produce own drives (e.g. Sony); they still like to see their name on the market;
but i cannot understand why LG (as a real drive manufacturer) brands and sells OEM drives;

LTR12101B · Dec 31, 2004

From what I've read, I'd be wary of the 4161 - it seems to be stuck in a backwater with no real firmware support.

http://forum.rpc1.com/viewtopic.php?t=31740&highlight=GWA-4161B

An OEM version of the 4120 that cannot us that firmware, or similar to the 4163, and it seems that other site puts it among the NEC's - though it's speed mix doesn't match any known NEC.

My gut reaction is "run like hell" this looks like it could end up an "orphan" with no firmware updates and little software support - on the other hand, it might be a great drive.

Personally, I intensely dislike these ill-defined "oddities", unless there is an already known hack-path to returm them to a more common version.

PS. If you paid the 4160 price of $72 CANCEL IT!
http://www.dealsurprise.com/lggs8xmadvdb.html - the 4163B is also $72 and has a superior specification - their foulup may have done you a favour!